Income-Based Scholarships
Eligibility & Program Details
What to know
Applications are processed in the order they are received (including all
supporting documentation). While the eligibility criteria between the programs vary, the application is the same for both. If a family’s income is found to be
between 261% – 300% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, the student is not
eligible for the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship but may be eligible for the Family Empowerment Scholarship.
Important facts:
Important facts:
- For the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship, renewal students have first priority.
- Step Up For Students is required by Florida statute to give priority to lower-income families, meaning any families with an income greater than 185% will be placed on a waitlist until available funding is determined.
- Scholarships can be transferred to other eligible schools if the student moves within the state, or simply wants to attend a different participating private school.
- Scholarship checks for private school tuition and fees are sent directly to the school in which the enrolled child is attending and are never sent directly to any individuals.
Florida Tax Credit Scholarship
Florida Tax Credit Scholarship – Private School Option:
For new students, the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship private school option is based on the student’s grade level and county. (Note: The county is the one the student lives in according to their current scholarship application.)
For renewal students who received scholarship funds during the 2019-20 school year, the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship private school option is the higher of either: 1) the student’s grade level and county the students resides in according to their current scholarship application OR 2) the amounts listed below.
The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship private school option can be used towards the following fees, in this order, until all fees are covered OR the student’s maximum scholarship award amount is reached, whichever is less.
The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship – Transportation Option:
With the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship transportation option, families can choose a scholarship to assist with the cost of transportation to a public school other than the one the student is assigned to attend.
The transportation scholarship award amount for the 2020-21 school year is $750.
Families interested in this option should complete the Step Up For Students income-based application. If awarded a scholarship, the family should email FTCTransportation@sufs.org for next steps.
View the 2020-21 Transportation Payment Distribution Schedule
For new students, the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship private school option is based on the student’s grade level and county. (Note: The county is the one the student lives in according to their current scholarship application.)
For renewal students who received scholarship funds during the 2019-20 school year, the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship private school option is the higher of either: 1) the student’s grade level and county the students resides in according to their current scholarship application OR 2) the amounts listed below.
- K- 5th grade — $6,519
- 6-8th grade — $6,815
- 9th-12th grade — $7,111
The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship private school option can be used towards the following fees, in this order, until all fees are covered OR the student’s maximum scholarship award amount is reached, whichever is less.
- 1. Tuition
- 2. Books**
- 3. Registration
- 4. Transportation
- 5. Uniforms**
- 6. Testing
- 7. Other
The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship – Transportation Option:
With the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship transportation option, families can choose a scholarship to assist with the cost of transportation to a public school other than the one the student is assigned to attend.
The transportation scholarship award amount for the 2020-21 school year is $750.
Families interested in this option should complete the Step Up For Students income-based application. If awarded a scholarship, the family should email FTCTransportation@sufs.org for next steps.
View the 2020-21 Transportation Payment Distribution Schedule
Income Eligibility:
Please note: Applications are processed in the order they are received, including all supporting documentation. Scholarships are awarded with a priority given to renewal families followed by new families with the greatest financial need.
- If a member of the household receives SNAP (food stamps), TANF, or FDPIR, the student may qualify.
- If the household income qualifies for free or reduce-priced lunch, the student may qualify.
- If the household income is at or below the income criteria, the student may qualify.
Please note: Applications are processed in the order they are received, including all supporting documentation. Scholarships are awarded with a priority given to renewal families followed by new families with the greatest financial need.
Age Eligibility:
- Students entering kindergarten must be 5 on or before Sept. 1.
- Students entering first grade must be 6 on or before Sept. 1.
- A child who is homeless and is entering kindergarten must be 5 on or before Sept. 1.
- A child who is homeless and is entering first grade must be 6 on or before Sept. 1.
Acceptable documentation includes:
A letter/document on letterhead written and signed by the homeless liaison in the public school district to which the child is assigned or by the Owner/Executive Director of the shelter or transitional housing facility of which the family resides.
Documentation must include:
- Child’s name
- Effective date(s)
- Signature of the local educational liaison or the director of the homeless shelter
A student who is/was placed at any time in foster care or out-of-home care during the current OR previous state fiscal year may be eligible (the state fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30).
A child in foster care is defined by the following:
If you have questions on whether a child in your care may be eligible, please call our contact center for more information at 877-735-7837.
Required Documents:
A child in foster care is defined by the following:
- “Foster care” means care provided a child in a foster family or boarding home, group home, agency boarding home, child care institution, or any combination thereof, as defined by s. 39.01(29).
- “Out-of-home” means a placement outside of the home of the parents or a parent, as defined by s. 39.01(48).
- “Out-of-Home care” means the placement of a child in licensed and non-licensed settings, arranged and supervised by the department or contracted service provider, outside of the home of the parent, as defined by DCF Rule: 65C-30.001 Definitions. (91).
If you have questions on whether a child in your care may be eligible, please call our contact center for more information at 877-735-7837.
Required Documents:
Kindergarten or 1st grade | Foster care |
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Out of home care | Group home |
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Family Empowerment Scholarship
The Family Empowerment Scholarship can only be used toward private school tuition and fees. Family Empowerment Scholarship award amounts are based on the student’s grade level and county. (Note: The county is the one the student lives in according to their current scholarship application.)
View the 2020-21 income-based scholarship award chart
The Family Empowerment Scholarship be used towards the following private school fees, in this order, until all fees are covered OR the student’s maximum scholarship award amount is reached, whichever is less.
View the 2020-21 income-based scholarship award chart
The Family Empowerment Scholarship be used towards the following private school fees, in this order, until all fees are covered OR the student’s maximum scholarship award amount is reached, whichever is less.
- 1. Tuition
- 2. Books**
- 3. Registration
- 4. Transportation
- 5. Uniforms**
- 6. Testing
- 7. Other
Income Eligibility:
- If a member of the household receives SNAP (food stamps), TANF, or FDPIR, the student may qualify.
- If the household income qualifies for free or reduce-priced lunch, the student may qualify.
- If the household income is at or below the income criteria, the student may qualify.
- The student is eligible to enroll in kindergarten or has spent the prior school year in attendance at a Florida public school. Prior attendance means the student was enrolled in and attended a Florida public school during both the October and February student counts.
- Note: A dependent child of a member of the military transferring from another state or from a foreign country due to a change of station is exempt from the prior public school attendance requirement
- The student must be accepted and enrolled in a private school that is participating in the Family Empowerment Scholarship. Parents should contact the schools to inquire as to whether the private school will participate in the program
A student who is/was placed at any time in foster care during the current OR previous state fiscal year may be eligible (The state fiscal year runs from July 1 to June 30.)
A child in foster care is defined by the following:
A child in foster care is defined by the following:
- “Foster care” means care provided a child in a foster family or boarding home, group home, agency boarding home, child care institution, or any combination thereof, as defined by Florida law in statute 39.01(29).
- A child who qualifies under this section, does not need to meet the income guidelines or the prior year public school requirement to be eligible
- A child must be accepted in a participating, eligible private school
A child in out-of-home care placement is defined by the following:
A child must be accepted in a participating eligible private school
- “Out-of-home” means a placement outside of the home of the parents or a parent, as defined Florida law in statute 39.01(48).
- Children and Families Rule: 65C-30.001 Definitions. (91).
A child must be accepted in a participating eligible private school